Dickerson Park Zoo in Springfield, MO
Photo: Wikimedia Commons — see author and license on the file page.

Dickerson Park Zoo

Dickerson Park Zoo is a city zoo in Springfield, MO, less than a mile off the old road. It is home to more than 500 animals representing some 160 species. The zoo traces its start to 1922, and it has held accreditation from the national Association of Zoos and Aquariums since 1986. For travellers with kids, or anyone ready for a break from motels and museums, it is an easy detour on a Springfield stop.

What is Dickerson Park Zoo?

This is a full city zoo, large enough to fill a few hours. Its collection covers hundreds of animals across a wide range of species.

Accreditation by the AZA matters: it is a national standard for animal care and welfare, and the zoo has met it for decades. It is listed as wheelchair accessible.

Visiting Dickerson Park Zoo: tips

Allow two to three hours for a relaxed walk around. Check the hours shown on this page before you go. Fuel is just a couple of blocks away.

It pairs well with Springfield's Route 66 stops, all about 3.5 to 4 miles away: Route 66 Stadium, the Route 66 Steak 'n Shake and the Rail Haven Motel. A day could combine the zoo in the morning, lunch at the Steak 'n Shake, and a night at the Rail Haven.

Practical info

Address
1401 West Norton Road, 65803
Hours
Mon–Fri, Sun 9–5 · Sat 9–3
On site & nearby

Sources: OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL) · Wikidata · official site — may be outdated. Suggest a fix

On the map

Full map

Dickerson Park Zoo with the 6 closest stops. Tap a marker for details.

Tap a dot to see that stop here.

Stops near Dickerson Park Zoo

All of Missouri

Route 66 Car Museum

Springfield, Missouri · on Route 66

About 70 cars from one owner's collection, a Batmobile among them, on Route 66 in Springfield, MO.

Museum

3.3 mi from Dickerson Park Zoo

Route 66 Stadium in Springfield, MO

Route 66 Stadium

Springfield, Missouri · 0.4 mi from Route 66

Springfield's minor league ballpark, called Hammons Field until 2026, about a block from St. Louis Street.

Route 66 sitePhoto credit

3.5 mi from Dickerson Park Zoo

Route 66 Steak 'n Shake in Springfield, MO

Route 66 Steak 'n Shake

Springfield, Missouri · 0.6 mi from Route 66

A Springfield Steak 'n Shake on the old Route 66 path that earned a spot on the National Register.

Retro roadsidePhoto credit

3.7 mi from Dickerson Park Zoo

Rail Haven Motel in Springfield, MO

Rail Haven Motel

Springfield, Missouri · 1.1 mi from Route 66

A 1938 Springfield motor court, grown into an L-shaped complex, where you can still spend the night.

Retro roadsidePhoto credit

4.0 mi from Dickerson Park Zoo

Wonders of Wildlife Museum & Aquarium in Springfield, MO

Wonders of Wildlife Museum & Aquarium

Springfield, Missouri · 1.9 mi from Route 66

A huge Springfield wildlife museum and aquarium with dioramas, big game mounts and 35,000 live animals.

Nature & parksPhoto credit

5.2 mi from Dickerson Park Zoo

Boegel and Hine Flour Mill-Wommack Mill in Fair Grove, MO

Boegel and Hine Flour Mill-Wommack Mill

Fair Grove, Missouri · 8.1 mi from Route 66

An 1883 timber-frame grist mill in Fair Grove that ground grain until 1969, with twin gravel-concrete silos.

Historic buildingPhoto credit

12.4 mi from Dickerson Park Zoo

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